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View Full Version : First Parker (Pic's) - Opinion on Condition and value

herbertnirdosh
03-19-2011, 09:29 AM
I am a new Parker owner. This is my first Parker (also first American SxS). I have a few British SxS but could never understand the mystic of Parkers. This is the first Parker I have handled and if a low grade Parker handles like this, I can understand why every Parker owner loves their guns.

Every thing I know about Parker's have been learned over the past 2 weeks on this forum. This a a great forum and thanks to every one who shares valuable information and pictures on this forum.

I know enough to identify the grade, gauge, barrel type etc. but need help to understand the condition and value. Any help will be highly appreciated.

Bores are excellent with no rust or pitting. Lock up is very very tight.

Gauge : 16
Grade : GH
Frame : 0
Barrel : 28" Damascus
Year : 1899

Also the barrel weight is 3 1, Is it a reason for concern as I have seen that even most 20ga are heavier?

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080883.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080879-1.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080847.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080887.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1090165.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1090143.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1090175.jpg


http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080864.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080863.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080861.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080876.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080869.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080858.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080860.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/herb777/Parker/P1080892.jpg

Herbert
Mark Ouellette
03-19-2011, 10:11 AM
Herbert,

That looks like an unmolested G Grade! I won't speak to monetary value but you should treasure it as a rare piece of art from days gone by.

On the same size frame barrels of a larger bore and same length should weight slightly less than barrels with smaller bores. The barrel breach/chamber areas contain more metal on smaller bores because the chamber areas will be thicker on smaller bores.

The only viable method to determine barrel safety is to measure the barrel thickness from muzzle to breach in all available areas. Obviously the chamber areas need to be thicker than the muzzle. If in doubt take it to an experianced double gunsmith for inspection.

Mark
Dean Romig
03-19-2011, 12:06 PM
Nice find!
herbertnirdosh
03-19-2011, 01:17 PM
Thanks Mark & Dean.

Mark - I took the gun to Nick Makinson (http://www.nickmakinson.com) (the Canadian double rifle maker) and he measured the bores for me. He said the barrel thickness was 33 & 34.

Nick has also written lot of articles for the DGJ during the early years.

Herbert
Dave Tercek
03-19-2011, 02:14 PM
Herbert, That is a great first Parker. It would also be a great 2nd, 3rd,.......
Dave
william faulk
03-19-2011, 02:41 PM
I am green with envy..wonderfull find !!

Bill
Stephen Hodges
03-19-2011, 03:57 PM
Herbert, great looking Parker. Congrats:p
Dean Romig
03-19-2011, 04:03 PM
Your first Parker is in very nice original condition showing use, of course, but also showing that it was well cared-for all of these 120 years. Congratulations.
Rich Anderson
03-19-2011, 05:58 PM
A 16GA 0 frame and Damascuss to boot...for your first Parker you have done well. Now the sickness begins:cheers:
Mike Poindexter
03-19-2011, 06:24 PM
A lovely GH 16 on an 0 frame in pretty much unaltered condition is a very marketable gun. The only question I have from the pics is the finish on the buttstock. Would have to see it up close but it might not be the original french polish, or may have been cleaned up and touched up. Looks too fresh and without blemish to match the wear on the receiver. Just a hunch, can't tell for certain. That being said, I have seen similar guns but not quite as nice go for $2200 to $3500 over the past couple of years. Some ask a lot more but the guns don't move. JMHO.
herbertnirdosh
03-19-2011, 07:59 PM
Thanks everyone.

Mike - I too think that something has been done to the stock as it looks very clean for the age of the gun. The serial number on the stock under the trigger guard matches so the stock is original but I suspect that it has been cleaned. Also I had recently oiled the stock when I cleaned the gun after receiving it.

Will the condition of the stock take away a lot from the value?

Herbert
Bill Murphy
03-19-2011, 08:12 PM
No, the gun is so nice that the stock finish, good or bad, won't bother a potential buyer. Anyone would love to own this gun.
herbertnirdosh
03-23-2011, 07:02 PM
Can I safely shoot low pressure ammo in this gun ?

Nick Makinson (http://www.nickmakinson.com) measured the barrels for me and gave the following measurements...

Barrel thickness 6 inches from muzzle - 33 & 34
Thickness 8 Inches from Chamber - Left 60, Right 70
Bore size - Left 665, Right 664.5

Not sure what to make of all the above numbers.

He checked and told me that the barrels have not been honed, bores are very good with not pitting.

Herbert